Pilfering Silver
Chapter 11: Incongruent
It was one thing to sneak in and out of wealthy homes, Sora realized, and quite another to actually stay in one.
Of course, the palace wasn't like his typical targets—he'd never been that ambitious—but it wasn't so different. There were still sumptuous furnishings, rich fabrics, and fine jewels and trinkets, though everything was, by far, the richest he'd seen. No surprise there, really. If it had been anywhere else in the city, though, Sora might have been surprised by how carelessly Riku had left his valuables: here a set of golden bangles on the desk, there a fine silk over shirt draped on an unused chair.
But then, the palace guards flanked every corridor, and Sora had only seen the little servant boy at Riku's door since he'd arrived. Of course Riku's room would be secure.
He was the prince, after all.
Sora was starting to wonder if he'd been selfish in wanting to see his friend again. Every now and then, Prince Riku would show him flashes of Ku again, but he'd been mostly distant since Sora had arrived. Ku smiled and challenged him and was as easy as Sora remembered, but the prince was cold and brooding in comparison.
Sora sighed. He supposed Riku couldn't be blamed, if this room was where he spent most of his time. Sure, it was beautiful to look at, and there was no want for food or any of the mundane things Sora had to worry about. But nor did there seem to be anything fun to do. There were scrolls and parchments and quills and ink on the table, and Sora spent a few minutes copying the letters Riku had taught him again, but he quickly grew bored without Riku around to continue his lesson.
Maybe that was why Riku had gone for another ride. Maybe it wasn't to get away from Sora.
"You know, I can practically hear you pouting from halfway across the palace."
Startled, Sora turned from the cabinet he'd been rifling through to see Kairi, sitting primly on the couch. "I didn't hear you come in. Is it even okay for you to be in here?"
Kairi smiled. "I didn't come in the normal way. It's too boring, don't you think?"
Sora ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I guess so. Won't they notice you're gone, though?"
"I told my entourage that I'm not to be disturbed," she said airily. "Anyway," she waved a hand, "being a genie has its perks. Sometimes." Her smile turned a little sour for a moment, and then returned to normal. She patted the spot next to her. "So come on, sit, tell me what's wrong."
Sora shuffled across the room and sat next to her, drawing one leg under himself. "He's…" Sora paused, trying to articulate what had him feeling so low. "He's not the person I remember."
Kairi leaned away from him and gave him a withering look. "Is that what you think?"
Sora scuffed him foot on on the floor. "Well, I mean, he just…doesn't really seem to care that I'm here." Saying it out loud made his mouth turn down.
Kairi sighed. "Sora," she pulled Sora's hand into her own. "Let me tell you about being royalty."
Sora raised his eyebrows. "It's boring?"
"Sora." The tone was chastising. "You said yourself you think he's lonely, right? And you've seen a bit of palace life already. Maybe you haven't noticed, but as a prince, Riku is always being watched. He's expected to behave a certain way, and he can't let anyone see him slip."
Sora looked down at their joined hands, his face reddening. "He did say something like that."
Kairi squeezed his hand. "It's hard to be yourself like that, don't you think? And it's hard to trust someone, even if you want to trust them, because you don't know if they are being truthful, or if they're just hiding behind a mask, too." This she said softly, her eyes distant.
"Like Riku's uncle?" Sora offered.
Kairi's gaze refocused, her face darkening. "Yes. The prince is right not to trust him. That man's heart is full of darkness. You should be careful of him, too." She released Sora's hand and patted his knee. "But I think the two of you will be able to handle whatever Xemnas has in mind. You've got a good heart, Sora, and maybe it doesn't seem like it now, but I think the prince is glad you're here. Give him time. Your Ku is in there, somewhere. Under his mask."
"Mm." Sora rolled Kairi's words around in his mind, a silence falling between them.
"Is it ok if I lean on you?" Kairi asked.
"Oh. Sure." Kairi tucked herself up against Sora's side, and he draped a protective arm over her. They watched the sky turn to twilight, comfortable in each other's company..
"It's been a long time since I've had so much freedom, myself," she murmured. "Who would've guessed being a genie meant getting stuck in a lamp for decades on end?" She let out a soft laugh.
"Is that what happens after I make my third wish? You have to go back in the lamp?"
"Yeah."
Sora pursed his lips. "Does it have to be that way? It doesn't seem fair."
Kairi shrugged, but didn't reply.
"Kairi, are you…really the Princess Kairi? I mean, are you a real princess?"
Kairi straightened, giving Sora a small smile. "Princess Kairi lived a long time ago, Sora."
Sora frowned. "But you—"
"I should go. I'm sure your prince will be back soon. Be patient with him, okay?" She kissed him on the cheek and stood up.
"But, Kairi—" He didn't get another word in before a puff of purple smoke engulfed Kairi, and then she was gone. Sora let out a noise of frustration and threw himself back on the couch. He thought he might be on to something, there, about Kairi, but she'd evaded the question.
Well. At least she'd given him some helpful advice. He hoped it would be helpful, anyway, though he wasn't sure what he should do to make Ku feel more comfortable around him again.
Sora was still reclining on the couch when he heard the door open, and he could just make out Ku's form in the darkness that had fallen since he'd left. He moved quietly, navigating the room with no trouble, until he'd lit an oil lamp from a brazier.
The small flame bathed Riku in a warm glow, and Sora sat up to see him better. His unkempt silvery hair had a gold cast to it, and the flickering shadows made him look younger, reminiscent of the Ku in Sora's memories, face smudged with dirt. And yet he was every inch a prince, and Sora wondered how he hadn't realized it before.
"You're still awake?" Riku didn't turn to him, and instead made his way around the room, lighting more lamps. "Why were you sitting in the dark?" His voice was soft, a hint of roughness to it, the kind that sometimes came with weariness.
"I was just thinking."
"And you didn't think to light some lamps?" Riku chuckled. He paused at his desk, spotting Sora's messy letters. "You're already getting better. I can teach you some more if you're comfortable with these. Tomorrow," he added. "It's been a long day."
"I'd like that, thanks."
Riku glanced back at him, eyes wide in surprise. "Ah. You're welcome."
Sora tucked his feet up to sit cross-legged as he watched Riku. "How was your ride?"
Riku leaned against the desk. "Quiet. Refreshing." He attempted to comb his fingers through his hair, but caught on a snarl. He gave a self-deprecating smile. "Windy."
Sora couldn't help but smile.
Riku straightened and turned to his room. "I'm going to bed." He paused at the curtained doorway. "I'm sorry. About earlier." His eyes went distant for a moment, and then he shook his head. "Good night, Sora."
"Good night, Ku." Riku faltered at the name, but he didn't correct Sora as he disappeared into his room. Sora sighed and made himself comfortable on the couch. Even if Riku had apologized, he didn't want to push him, no matter how empty the outer apartment felt. The embroidered pillows weren't comfortable for sleeping, but Sora supposed it was better than the pile of rags he was used to. Just not as comfortable as sleeping with his ear over Riku's heart.
o - o - o
Sora woke to an empty room.
Riku's bed was already vacant, the sheets rumpled and cool. So he'd been gone for some time already; Sora frowned at the sun, not yet high in the sky. He wasn't sure how Riku did it, the late nights and the early mornings, whereas Sora was used to sleeping when he liked. Not to mention the soreness. Sora was, generally speaking, fit and able. He had to be, in his chosen trade, but having never ridden a horse before, he'd been left with aching, stiff limbs after a night of sleep.
The thought of spending the day walking around the palace made him wince, but a growl from his stomach pushed him into action. If Riku wasn't around, he could at least fetch food from the kitchens, right?
It was a strange feeling, wandering the palace unaccompanied. Until now, he'd been escorted by Riku or a servant as he passed through the halls, and he wondered if he was allowed to be alone. He supposed that servants generally were meant to go about their day independently, but he didn't feel like a servant. He didn't feel like he belonged in the palace—really, he didn't—and that made a spot between his shoulders itch as he passed by the guards that flanked the corridors.
But he managed to reach the kitchens unaccosted.
As expected, there was a bustle of activity as the kitchen staff prepared for another day of entertaining guests, orchestrated by a grizzled blond man who cursed with every other breath. On his own, Sora would've been happy with even the simplest of breakfasts, but before he could so much as ask one of the maids for a scone, she pointed at a chair.
"The prince has already had his breakfast, so I suppose you're here for yourself."
"Yes, ma'am." Sora sat at the chair, hands fidgeting, unsure of his welcome.
She smiled. "No need for formalities in here. Tifa is fine. Sit tight while I find something for you." She shuffled around, avoiding collisions with the rest of the staff, picking up a plate and piling it with food, before returning to set it in front of Sora.
"Thank you." Sora beamed down at the fresh fruit and warm buttered scone, still a little amazed to have food so freely given, regardless of his station.
Tifa took a seat across from Sora, crossing her arms. "So, I know it's only been a couple days, but what's it like being the prince's personal servant? He's never taken one before, you know."
"Oh," Sora swallowed his bite of scone. "It's nice, I guess." He shrugged, unsure how to answer. "We went for a ride with Kai—Princess Kairi yesterday. I'd never been on a horse before, it was fun! He's a good person, I think."
Tifa beamed at him. "He is a good prince. You seem like a sweet kid, too, so I bet you'll take good care of him, if he lets you. He likes to be independent, that young man."
Sora smiled. "Yeah, doesn't he?"
Tifa winked and leaned in close to Sora, whispering. "You know, when he was younger, he used to sneak out. He thinks no one knows, but his father would've had our heads if we'd lost him. I followed him to make sure he was alright. He was quite the troublemaker in those days, but I think it did him good!"
Sora's eyes grew wide. "Really?" Did she recognize Sora? Would she turn him in? What would happen if he got found out?
"Mhmm! I think he misses it, but the sultan keeps him too busy to sneak out anymore. So, don't think it's the prince's fault if he's boring."
Sora nodded mutely, still holding his breath.
Tifa leaned back with another wink. "And the Princess Kairi, how is she? We're all so curious down here, since Prince Riku seems quite taken with her."
Sora let out the breath he'd been holding. "Does he?" He picked at some grapes. "She's a good person, I think."
"Well, we all like her. She's one of the best candidates we've seen. Kind to everyone she meets, smart, and spirited. She would make a good queen." Tifa propped her head up on her hand, a dreamy look on her face.
"A…queen?" Sora squeaked.
She laughed, a full, throaty sound. "Of course, a queen! Why else would she be here, if not to try to catch the prince's eye?"
Sora didn't get a chance to reply, because the chef was yelling for Tifa, and Sora was happy for the interruption, for once. He realized he hadn't thought of that—of Riku considering Kairi for his queen. Kairi didn't seem interested in anything more than helping Sora, and Sora had never been a suspicious person by nature, so he quickly dismissed the thought of Kairi having ulterior motives in directing his wish. After all, she had pushed Riku's attention to Sora every chance she got.
But Riku was another matter. What if he did like Kairi?
Well, Sora could live with that, he supposed, as long as he could be friends with Ku again. Though, the idea of Riku preferring Kairi over Sora made him frown as he finished his breakfast. That couldn't be true.
Could it?
Sora was so intent on his thoughts that he almost didn't notice the man that had paused in front of him. He looked up at the man, unperturbed by the old scar crossing his face in an x. It was clean, compared to some of the things Sora had seen on the streets, though he idly wondered what would've given him such a mark. Or perhaps not what, but who.
"You're the prince's servant boy." The statement was given with no inflection, punctuated by a look of appraisal.
"Yeah." Sora wasn't sure what to make of the man's elegant attire and long blue hair, but he was always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. "I'm Sora. Nice to meet you!" He offered a bright smile.
The man nodded. "Saix." He set the tray in his hands down on the table and sat in Tifa's vacated chair. "Perhaps you may not know, but I am the personal servant to the sultan's brother, Master Xemnas."
"Oh." Sora filed the information away, wondering what Saix might want with him. He didn't have to wait long for an answer.
"Sora, maybe you can help me. My master worries about his nephew, Prince Riku. Perhaps, now that you're here, he may lay his fears to rest? If you would only sometimes speak with Master Xemnas, tell him how his nephew is doing. I am sure he would make it worth your while." Saix folded his hands on the table, waiting for Sora's response.
Whether Saix was acting on his master's orders, and whether or not Xemnas truly cared for Riku, Sora could only think of how weary Riku sounded when he spoke of his uncle. Of how guarded the prince was, even in his own home. Sora worried his lip, trying to think of a response that wouldn't offend.
Making his decision, Sora offered a winning smile. "I'm here to serve the prince, Sir. I'll tell him Master Xemnas is worried."
Saix's eyes widened. "Please. My master doesn't wish the prince to think him overprotective."
"Saix!" The gravelly voice belonged to a large hand that descended on Saix's shoulder, which was attached to the harried chef. "Yer master ain't patient. Git this coffee to 'im before he starts blaming me." The piece of straw hanging from his mouth might've looked comical, if not for the stern look on his face.
Saix's eyes narrowed, but he nodded and excused himself, taking the tray he'd set on the table.
"Cid," he grunted to Sora, holding out a hand to shake. It was covered in flour and callouses, the handshake firm, and Sora knew this was a man he could trust.
"Sora. Nice to meet you."
"Watch out for that one." He nodded after Saix. "Him and his master, they only got themselves in mind, y'hear?"
Sora nodded. "Okay. Thank you."
Cid crossed his arms and surveyed the kitchen. "Gotta get back to work, but if ya ever need anything, we're here to help. Take care of our prince for us, will ya?"
Sora beamed. "Yeah, I will."
Before Sora could leave, Tifa pressed a couple pastries into his hands, one for him, and another for the prince, and sent him off with another smile.
He had a lot to think about, as he made his way back to Riku's rooms. When he'd made his wish, he'd never imagined that Riku's world was so complex. He'd thought—well, he wasn't sure what he'd expected, except that he'd be able to find Ku again, and just be with him. Now, he was wondering how he could fit into this world. Kairi had said she didn't think he'd be treated as a slave, and so far that was true, but Sora couldn't see himself settling into the role of servant indefinitely. Nor could he imagine himself a prince.
All he'd wanted was to be Sora and Ku again, but he was beginning to see that that wasn't possible.
Well. He'd figure something out. He wasn't going to give up, not if he could help it.
